Fields: Create Beacon

Create Beacon lets you set up and configure the way that a beacon placed in your library interacts with the BLUEcloud Mobile for Kids app.

Mobile Apps > Beacons > Add new Beacon

Mobile Apps > Beacons > Edit Beacon

 

Beacon Name

Specifies the descriptive name of the beacon (up to 100 characters).

Beacon Set

Specifies the mode in which the beacon should work. By default, this should be set to Mfr. Default (FDA5).

Identifier

Specifies the two values that uniquely identify the beacon. The Major value can identify a group of beacons in the library. Your SirsiDynix representative provides your library with the Major and Minor number for each beacon.

Max Visible Range

Specifies the maximum distance in meters from the beacon when the beacon triggers a reaction from the BLUEcloud Mobile for Kids app. The Max Visible Range helps determine how discoverable the beacon is to library patrons. You can set the range to be as small as one meter or as large as 100 meters.

Important: If you are using smaller range limits, you should avoid distances smaller than 2 meters. Because beacon distances are calculated using the strength of the Bluetooth signal, short distances can be inaccurate due to interference or objects blocking the signal. This normally isn't a problem for larger distances.

The Max Visible Range can be used to limit beacon ranges, which allows specific beacons to be restricted to usage within specific areas of the Library. By default, the maximum is set to 100 meters. If you want beacons to be accessible throughout the entire library instead of being restricted to specific areas, leave the the default setting.

Action

Specifies the action that the BLUEcloud Mobile for Kids app takes when it detects this beacon. The following table describes the actions that are available.

Action Description

Character

Specifies which character or characters can be discovered within the Max Visible Range of this beacon. You can choose as many characters as you desire. If you select more than one character, BLUEcloud Mobile for Kids randomly selects a character from the pool and eliminates selected characters until all of the characters have been selected.

Characters can be enabled or disabled by selecting or clearing the checkbox beside the character name within the “Select Characters” list. Characters that are enabled in the list are made available for the app to select from when the app is connected to the beacon. By default, the app prioritizes showing those characters that the player has not yet found.

The Character action has these options:

  • Collection Reset Timeout—Specifies the number of minutes between the time a character is discovered and when the character can be discovered again (when it is the only character in the set) or a different, undiscovered character in the set can be discovered. For example, if a player caught a character at 12:15 and the beacon has a 30-minute collection reset timeout, the player would not be able to catch characters from that beacon at 12:30, but would be able to catch again if they tried at 12:46.

    The time limit only applies to a specific beacon. If multiple beacons are in use, a player restricted from catching from the current beacon will still be able to catch characters from other beacons, as long as the other beacons are available to catch from. The catch limit also only applies to the single user who last caught from the beacon. One person recently catching a character from a beacon does not prevent other people from catching from that beacon.

    The timeout can be set to whichever value suits your requirements; however, you should not set the timeout too low. A low timeout value will mean that players can catch all new characters in a short space of time, leaving them with only duplicates shortly afterwards, which they may become bored with. Longer timeout periods will also encourage players to stay in the library for longer periods of time.

  • New Character Coin Value—Specifies the number of coins awarded to a player for catching a specific character for the first time.

    These coins are used to play games in the games section of the rewards screen. Each time a game is played, one coin is used, no matter which game is played. In order to prevent players from gaining too many coins and to encourage return visits to the library, the number of coins rewarded should be kept to reasonable levels. By default, the player is awarded 10 coins for a new character.

    If the target rate of 5 new characters per week is stuck to when adding new characters to beacons through the CMS, then players will be able to get at least 50 coins per week, which will normally be more than enough.

  • Repeat Character Coin Value—Specifies the number of coins awarded to a player for catching a specific character after the first time. By default, the player is awarded 5 coins for a repeat character.

Checkout

This action is not currently supported.

Content Item

This action is not currently supported.

Channel

This action is not currently supported.

Tab

This action is not currently supported.